Abstract: A distributed ledger based utility system architecture may be configured to enable secure payments, data transmission, and meter configuration of smart sensors. The utility system architecture may be a tiered architecture including multiple nodes at different levels of the architecture where each level may contain a different portion of the distributed ledger. As information is added to the distributed ledger, each portion of the distributed ledger may be updated based on whether the information is relevant to that node. The information may include rate contract transactions, meter configuration data transactions, payment transactions, or the like.

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting data include identifying data to be transmitted, adding the data to a queue, and in response to a data session window being open: extracting the data from the queue; transmitting the extracted data to a transceiver via a transmitter; monitoring an amount of data in the queue and determining that the transmitter has transmitted the extracted data to the transceiver; and in response, instructing the transceiver to end the data session window early and transition to a lower power state.

Abstract: A system includes a stream partition manager configured to receive data packets input from a plurality of actors, the actors including virtual representations of physical devices, and partition the data packets into a number of stream partitions based at least in part on one or more criteria. The system further includes a plurality of stream processors communicatively coupled to the stream partition manager. Individual stream processors of the plurality of stream processors being configured to receive data packets from a stream partition of the number of stream partitions, process the data packets to generate multiple table entries, and transmit the multiple table entries in batches. The system further includes a target table communicatively coupled to the plurality of stream processors. The target table is configured to receive and store the batches received from the individual stream processors.

Abstract: Techniques for meter text detection and recognition are described herein. In an example, an application receives a first image, depicting information displayed by the meter, from an imaging device. One or more qualities of the first image may be assessed, such as focus or lighting. A setting of the imaging device may be adjusted. The adjusting may be based at least in part on the assessed quality of the first image and one or more characteristics of an optical character recognition (OCR) algorithm. Accordingly, the settings of the image-capture device are tuned to the needs of the OCR algorithm. A second image may be captured, depicting information displayed by the meter, using the imaging device adjusted according to the adjusted setting. The OCR algorithm may be applied to the second image to obtain an alphanumeric value associated with the second image. The alphanumeric value is obtained from the OCR algorithm.

Abstract: A forecast engine generates a clear-sky solar power generation level corresponding to a photovoltaic installation that resides within a geographical area. The clear-sky solar power generation level indicates an amount of electricity generated by the photovoltaic installation under clear-sky conditions. The forecast engine also generates a measurement device index corresponding to a measurement device that resides proximate to the photovoltaic installation. The measurement device index indicates an amount of cloud cover present at the location where the measurement device resides. The forecast engine then generates a solar power generation forecast for the geographical area based on the clear-sky solar power generation level and the measurement device index.

Abstract: A network system includes a main network implementing a conventional network protocol and a BPD subtree implementing a custom network protocol. The main network comprises a plurality of MPD nodes, the conventional network protocol being configured for MPD nodes. The BPD subtree comprises a plurality of BPD nodes, the custom network protocol being configured for BPD nodes. The custom network protocol defines smaller and simpler subtrees relative to the conventional network protocol. As a result, the custom network protocol defines less complex functions relative to the conventional network protocol, including functions for discovery, messaging, and loop management. A root node of the BPD subtree is connected with an MPD node of the main network and one or more descendant nodes of the BPD subtree. The root node implements the conventional network protocol and the custom network protocol.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for operating an electronic device within a cellular environment. The technique includes determining a coverage enhancement (CE) parameter and one or more radio frequency (RF) link parameters associated with a link between the electronic device and a cellular base station at a first point in time. The technique also includes computing a first estimate for a signal condition associated with the link based on the CE parameter and the one or more RF link parameters. The technique further includes determining that the signal condition is not adequate based on the first estimate and delaying transmission of one or more messages from the electronic device over the link until a second point in time that is later than the first point in time.

Abstract: An energy efficiency data collection system architecture may be configured to enable efficient and accurate collection of energy efficiency data associated with users and/or sites associated with users and generation of profiles associated with the users based on the energy efficiency data. An energy efficiency data collection service may receive location information, image data, and user-input data from an application operating on a mobile device associated with a user. The energy efficiency data collection service may generate profiles based on the information received from the application and may provide incentives to the users in response to participating in an energy efficiency data collection survey.

Abstract: Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing time may include receiving initial time information including an initial timestamp from a first device, adjusting a clock of the device with the initial time information, storing the initial time information as an earliest possible time, receiving additional time information, including a second timestamp, from a second device, and evaluating the additional time information. When the evaluated additional time information includes information that is unacceptable, the method may further include adjusting the clock with the second timestamp, and replacing the earliest possible time with the second timestamp. When the evaluated additional time information includes information that is acceptable, the method may further include adjusting the clock with the additional time information, and replacing the earliest possible time with the additional time information.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting a high gas pressure situation within a gas delivery system (e.g., for natural gas delivery to homes and businesses) are described. In one example, a device measures gas pressure. If a pressure over a threshold value is detected, a nearby device is messaged. The nearby device either confirms the over-pressure condition or indicates it may be more localized. If the condition is present within an area of the gas delivery system and/or within a group of devices within the gas delivery system, protective measures may be taken, such as closing valves providing gas to a number of service sites.

Abstract: A network device includes one or more processors and a memory storing firmware that when executed by the one or more processors causes the network device to perform operations including executing the firmware according to a configuration file, wherein the executing includes receiving one or more commands updating the configuration file to become a modified configuration file; and executing the firmware according to the modified configuration file. Wherein executing the firmware according to the modified configuration file includes: extracting a mode from the modified configuration file, the mode indicating a condition, a set of parameters, and a rule mapping the condition to an action; evaluating the condition based on one or more parameter values associated with the set of parameters; and in response to determining that the condition has been met, performing the action, wherein performing the action modifies how a resource is distributed at a location.

Abstract: A device selects a plurality of other devices to participate in a blockchain based at least in part on observed behavior of a communication link between the device and each of the other devices. The device, based at least in part on the selecting, participates in the blockchain with at least some of the plurality of other devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a method that includes sending, by a first node to a plurality of neighbor nodes, a query associated with a dataset, wherein the dataset includes multiple blocks; receiving, at the first node from a set of the plurality of neighbor nodes, one or more responses to the query; based on a first quality ranking of individual nodes in the set, selecting, by the first node, a second node from the set; and sending, by the first node, a first request to the second node for at least one block of the multiple blocks.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to controlling access to resources on a message bus of a network communication device. The techniques may include, by the network communication device, processing a message bus access policy file uniquely corresponding to a process. The message bus access policy file may include a certificate securely associating the message bus access policy file with the process. The techniques may further include, by the network communication device, based at least in part on the processing the message bus access policy file, exposing one or more resources of the network communication device to the process on the message bus, in a manner corresponding to at least one resource access permission indication contained within the message bus access policy file.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide techniques for detecting electrical arcing in an electrical system. A powerline communications (PLC) application executing on a network communications device acquires, via a PLC modem, first voltage readings associated with an electrical circuit. The PLC application performs one or more operations based on the first voltage readings to determine that an electrical arcing condition is present within the electrical circuit. The PLC application performs a remedial operation in response to determining that the electrical arcing condition is present.

Abstract: A distributed energy resource (DER) device is coupled to a utility meter in a “behind-the-meter” configuration. The utility meter analyzes a commitment generated by the DER device to determine a specific operation performed by the DER device at a particular time. The utility meter analyzes metrology data to identify an “event” associated with the particular time and then attempts to map the identified event back to the DER device based on a library of events associated with different DER devices. The utility meter also attempts to map the identified event to the specific operation set forth in the commitment. If the utility meter can successfully map the identified event to both the DER device and to the specific operation set forth in the commitment, then the utility meter generates a validated commitment. The validated commitment can be used to facilitate an energy market settlement process.

Abstract: Techniques for operating cellular internet of things (IoT) devices under a public cellular carrier are disclosed. During an active connection, the cellular IoT device's radio-controlling application can collect radio metrics by tapping into the diagnostics interface of IoT device's cellular modem to collect data regarding accumulative signal strength, block/bit error rate, and/or round-trip latency for the session, etc. During the active connection, battery and environmental information as well as application-based information can be collected and sent to a remote computing device. In an example, the cellular IoT device can be given revised or refined values for use in timers, which may be used by the device to more efficiently use idle and/or power-save modes to reduce battery power consumption. Moreover, the use of the timers may be extended to devices distinct from the cellular modem, thereby increasing the utility of the timers and the functionality of the IoT device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for processing packets transmitted within a network in accordance with a network protocol. The technique includes determining a first expected length of a value field included in a type-length-value (TLV) element within a first frame of a first packet received over the network, wherein the first expected length is based on a type field included in the TLV element. The technique also includes processing a first portion of the value field based on the expected length of the value field in accordance with a first specification for a first version of the network protocol, without processing a second portion of the value field beyond the expected length of the value field.

Abstract: A method includes computing electrical phase of electrical metering devices including obtaining data indicating zero-crossing times at first and second metering devices. A time difference between the zero-crossing times may be determined. In a first example, the time difference may be based at least in part on calculations involving a first value of a first free-run timer on a first metering device, a second value of a second free-run timer on a second metering device, the time of reception of a packet, and a latency defined by a time taken for the packet to propagate through at least one layer of at least one of the first metering device and the second metering device. A phase difference between the first zero-crossing and the second zero-crossing may be determined, based at least in part on the determined time difference.